It is unfair to other students. The point of devising a unified exam nationwide is to give equal opportunities for all. As one of the world's top universities, Tsinghua's lead in violating enrollment rules will result in immeasurable losses to its reputation.
Chun Hua (Information Times): To implement education for students' all-round development or independent enrollment policies are not wrong, but the problem is that Jiang is a public figure. Since education authorities empowered some key universities with restrictive independent rights in enrollment, they are always keen on recruiting celebrity and star students to expand university popularity.
In addition, Jiang's performance at the national exam has aroused people's doubts over her writing capability. Jiang, as a young writer of special talents, should at least pass essential tests to live up to the qualification as a Tsinghua student.
Cao Lin (Shanghai Morning Post): Rampant online fictions have already reduced the skill of being a writer today. If Tsinghua had lowered its threshold to recruit a teenage scientist, it would be easier for the public to understand. But for a "writer," it is not that easy, because the standards to measure a true writer today are ambiguous.
On one hand, Tsinghua is skeptical of using the "celebrity effect" to promote itself. Jiang, known as a post-90s youth writer, is eye-catching enough. As more star athletes and social celebrities enter the university, the spirit of learning has been downgraded.
On the other hand, the root cause for public doubts is triggered by possible enrollment corruption. Unless we strictly observe a transparent, just and regular enrollment mechanism, will the credibility of the system and the honor of independently enrolled skilled students be maintained? The problem is that, an absence of additional stipulations will easily cause education scandals or university corruption, which will in turn tarnish school reputations. It seems that a unified exam is still the best enrollment choice at present.
Yang Guangzhi (Modern Express): Independent enrollment, if not restrained, could be a channel for manipulation. Despite wide criticism, the national college entrance exam has prevailed for three decades, and is believed to be an effective tool for selecting good students for Chinese universities because it is fair. Before we find a better way to evaluate these specially talented students, the national exam still is the most authoritative measure for academic qualifications.
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